Additional Options for Graduate Study

Ph.D. students in other departments may obtain a Ph.D. minor in MELC by completing at least twelve credit hours of coursework approved by the DGS to form a coherent program of study. There is no examination requirement for the MELC outside Ph.D. Up to twelve credits may be transferred toward the MELC outside Ph.D. minor from other institutions with the approval of the DGS and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. However, at least six credit hours towards the outside minor must be completed in the IU MELC department and approved by the DGS.

Graduate Arabic Proficiency Certification

The Graduate Arabic Proficiency Certification can be granted to students in other departments based on the successful (B+ or better) completion of Advanced Arabic II or more advanced Arabic courses. For students who have Arabic skills but have not taken Arabic courses at IU, MELC offers a proficiency test. Please consult the MELC DGS or the MELC Director of Language Instruction for information.

Continuing/special Non-degree Students

Persons interested in taking graduate level MELC courses without formally applying to a degree program may apply for Continuing or Special Non-Degree Status. A limited number of credits taken as a non-degree student may eventually count towards a MELC graduate degree if the MELC department approves. Since the courses appear on the IU transcript, no transfer of graduate credit is required.

MELC Assistantships (Ai)

An AI (associate instructor) appointment requires full-time enrollment as a graduate student in the Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures.

The student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Failure to meet the GPA requirement will mean termination of financial aid at the end of the semester in which such a failure occurs. The student also may not have any Incompletes to be considered for such an appointment.

The workload for a 50% FTE appointment is 20 hours per week. Such 50% FTE academic year appointments include 30 credit hours of fee remission.

Prospective international AIs must pass the Test of English Proficiency for International Associate Instructor Candidates (TEPAIC) to be eligible to teach.

Appointment Terms

Appointments are normally made for one academic year; although, circumstances occasionally lead to appointments for a single semester. Renewals will be considered annually up to the financial aid time limit associated with a student’s particular degree program. Satisfactory progress towards a graduate degree is determined by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Probation in any semester will lead to discontinuation of financial aid beginning in the next semester of enrollment.

Workload and Employment Requirements

Workloads for Associate Instructors are determined at the campus level. The workload for a 50% FTE appointment is 20 hours per week. MELC financial aid or other employment opportunities are limited by the following regulations:

• You may not hold an AI or GA position if employed by Indiana University at 100% FTE in another position.
• You may not hold two Indiana University student academic appointments, including AI or GA positions, if combined they total more than 50% FTE.
• All Associate Instructors who are listed as instructors of record on class rosters are required to hold three office hours per week.

Other Financial Aid

Detailed information about financial aid may be obtained from the Office of Research and the Indiana Graduate School Bloomington, Wells Library E546.